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Washington in Talks with NATO to Provide Turkey Military Aid in Syria

FILE PHOTO: James Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria, is pictured outside the Boynuyogun refugee camp near Hatay, Turkey, March 3, 2020.REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan
FILE PHOTO: James Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria, is pictured outside the Boynuyogun refugee camp near Hatay, Turkey, March 3, 2020.REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan
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Washington in Talks with NATO to Provide Turkey Military Aid in Syria

FILE PHOTO: James Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria, is pictured outside the Boynuyogun refugee camp near Hatay, Turkey, March 3, 2020.REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan
FILE PHOTO: James Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria, is pictured outside the Boynuyogun refugee camp near Hatay, Turkey, March 3, 2020.REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan

Washington is discussing with its NATO allies what they can offer Turkey in terms of military assistance in Syria's Idlib, officials said on Tuesday.

It's also discussing measures that may be taken if Russia and the Syrian regime breaks a ceasefire, the officials added.

“We are looking at what NATO can do,” James Jeffrey, the US special envoy for Syria, told reporters in a conference call from Brussels where he was holding talks with allies.

“Everything is on table.”

Jeffrey, who was speaking alongside the US ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield, ruled out the use of ground troops should the ceasefire be broken and repeated that Ankara needed to clarify its stance on purchase of the Russian S400 Air Defence System.

Earlier, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was look for "concrete support" from NATO allies in regard to Syria's conflict.

"We expect concrete support from all our allies to this struggle," adding that "NATO is in a critical process in which it needs to clearly show its alliance solidarity" with Turkey.

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.